Motorhome has got measles!

[john-A]

When I was up on the Van's roof the other day I noticed a lot of little black spots.
They don't come off when I scratch them with my nail.
I have also noticed them on the GDR or plastic wind deflector, not sure what its made from on but its above the cab roof.
I have a polishing machine but before I try that I hope you may have some good advice, its 20 years old but apart from these little spots it's in really good condition.
Thanks John

 

[rosalan]

You naughty person, You have been parking under or near a tree shedding sap. There are cleaners available to remove it.
Been there, done that.

 

[Deep Owl]

Yup, as rosalan. Halfords Wash and Wax, 5litres, but it took 2 goes!

I got Nextdoor to cut the tree down - it was getting big and too near our houses!!

 

[Lenny HB]

Any of your neighbours got a wood burner and burning crap or unseasoned wood in it?

 

[IanFraser]

I bought a product called Vistal which I think I picked up info on from another cleaning thread somewhere. It took stuff off my van very easily which previously I'd struggled with using other washes.

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[john-A]

Any of your neighbours got a wood burner and burning crap or unseasoned wood in it?

No not seen anyone doing that we are in a smoke free area and there are not supposed to be fires

 

[john-A]

Yup, as rosalan. Halfords Wash and Wax, 5litres, but it took 2 goes!

I got Nextdoor to cut the tree down - it was getting big and too near our houses!!

Tried wash and wax but no luck.

 

[john-A]

I bought a product called Vistal which I think I picked up info on from another cleaning thread somewhere. It took stuff off my van very easily which previously I'd struggled with using other washes.

Just ordered a tub of Vistal.

 

[TheBig1]

sap and tar deposits can be very stubborn and have a habbit of burning through the wax to mark the paint surface. There are specialist solvents, which need to be applied and left to work for 20-30 minutes before cleaning off. Don't neglect to wax the van again after cleaning the offending spots

 

[john-A]

My next door neighbor used to have a large tree in his garden but it was some way away but I paid half the cost for him to get it cut down because it was to near my house and I was afraid of the roots.
Let's hope this gets it sorted thanks for all your replies

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[john-A]

Don't neglect to wax the van again after cleaning the offending spots

I wont I've bought a platform to get to all of it and I am lucky I can walk on the roof to do it..

 

[IanFraser]

Just ordered a tub of Vistal.

Hope it works for you too

 

[john-A]

sap and tar deposits can be very stubborn and have a habbit of burning through the wax to mark the paint surface. There are specialist solvents, which need to be applied and left to work for 20-30 minutes before cleaning off. Don't neglect to wax the van again after cleaning the offending spots

The Vistal I ordered is coming today but if that does not work can you recomend the name of a good solvent to do the job.

 

[IanFraser]

The Vistal I ordered is coming today but if that does not work can you recomend the name of a good solvent to do the job.

I’ve only used the Vistal on mine, if it’s not heavy duty enough for your problem I’m sure there will be other recommendations. The Vistal won’t be wasted, I use it for cleaning the cars too & from memory think it can be used on surfaces in house.

 

[Colino]

Try the wet and forget website. They might have something to help. Send them an email. Haven't used it myself, but a few people on other forums have with mixed reviews.

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[Colino]

Or Fenwick caravan cleaner.

 

[TheBig1]

TFR used neat work well, but as mentioned before need rinsing off well and strips all the wax from the area it is used on. Wear gloves and eye protection, it is nasty stuff and very strong

 

[john-A]

Well time to report back
Firstly thank you all for your great suggestions
It's a tale of two halfs really, let's start with the roof, loads of black spots on the back and on the front but none on the middle.
Used the Vistal on one spot at a time and even after a lot of rubbing it was still there all be it a lot duller, so looking at the supplied sponge its a little rougher that your normal sponge so I thought I would try one of my sanding thingiebobs I don't know how to describe them they look like the sort of green thing you use when washing up I bought a set of fine to course they are no were near as harsh as sand paper.
Well three or four rubs the some Vistal with the sponge supplied and then three or four rubs with my standing pad and hey presto it's gone with no damage to the paint just a wash followed by a good waxing
Now for the other half the GDR or what ever they call the curved wind deflector above my roof, I know it's not plastic.
Well these too I managed to remove but unfortunately they had managed to burn a little through the paint so now I'm left with a paint job but as I already have the paint and plenty of time before I can use the motorhome that will keep me out of trouble for a week or so just hope this weather holds.
Happy travelling guys not long the wait now.
Thanks again

 

[IanFraser]

Glad to hear you had ‘success’ with the Vistal

 

[dunnah01]

When everything else fails and if it's just the roof I use the green plastic scour pads and water. Not the foam backed things for washing up but the ones car body shops use for final cutting prior to lacquer. Shifted all the black tary sappy crud on my roof today except the really thick sap which was soon shifted with some isopropyl alcohol. I was careful not to apply any real pressure and it didn't leave any swirl marks on the paint.

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[dunnah01]

! post took 18hrs to post ? - go figure - but it sounds like you found out the same thing anyway

 

[sparkyvanman]

I have a similar problem, my mo is three years old. I have lots of small brown spots on the awning. I don’t know what caused this . I have tried the special mo cleaners, pressure washing and scrubbing with the green pan scouters. Brown marks are not as bad now but still spoil the look of the awning. It’s a Thule awning , the material looks very good quality but I am afraid of damaging it , Any tips ?

 

[dunnah01]

I have a similar problem, my mo is three years old. I have lots of small brown spots on the awning. I don’t know what caused this . I have tried the special mo cleaners, pressure washing and scrubbing with the green pan scouters. Brown marks are not as bad now but still spoil the look of the awning. It’s a Thule awning , the material looks very good quality but I am afraid of damaging it , Any tips ?

It sounds like tree sap so Isopropyl Alcohol shifts it very well. However, you'd need to try a small area on the awning material to make sure it doesn't stain it even more.

 

[john-A]

When everything else fails and if it's just the roof I use the green plastic scour pads and water. Not the foam backed things for washing up but the ones car body shops use for final cutting prior to lacquer. Shifted all the black tary sappy crud on my roof today except the really thick sap which was soon shifted with some isopropyl alcohol. I was careful not to apply any real pressure and it didn't leave any swirl marks on the paint.

Yes that's the type I used

 

[IanFraser]

Yes that's the type I used

Is there a link for them anywhere? I've an area on front of cab overhand I cant get to from a ladder, anything I've used on end of a long stick I can't get enough pressure on to remove accumulated crud, a better pad might help but wouldn't want to use owt that would damage paintwork

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[dunnah01]

Is there a link for them anywhere? I've an area on front of cab overhand I cant get to from a ladder, anything I've used on end of a long stick I can't get enough pressure on to remove accumulated crud, a better pad might help but wouldn't want to use owt that would damage paintwork

If you search for Scotchbrite pads on eBay or Facebook market then you should find plenty. Anything above grade #100 works well and shouldn't damage the paintwork if your'e gentle and use plenty of water

 

[Parsloe]

TFR diluted is the best cleaner I’ve ever used for most things but you must rinse well and re-wax. Buy it in 20ltr tubs, it will last years. Use on patio slabs etc. We use it on engines and gearboxes and they come up like new - but remember to rinse or it will keep eating away.
Cable tie a length of foam pipe insulation across the top of your ladder and lean it against the top edge of the motorhome, you can then get to the roof without damaging anything.

 

[john-A]

Is there a link for them anywhere? I've an area on front of cab overhand I cant get to from a ladder, anything I've used on end of a long stick I can't get enough pressure on to remove accumulated crud, a better pad might help but wouldn't want to use owt that would damage paintwork

I got mine from Ebay but I deleted my app so cant look up link sorry just do a search on Ebay for sanding they are oblong and come in different colours I'll do a search and post s link if I find them.

dunnah01 got there before me I should have read all the posts before replying

 

[IanFraser]

If you search for Scotchbrite pads on eBay or Facebook market then you should find plenty. Anything above grade #100 works well and shouldn't damage the paintwork if your'e gentle and use plenty of water

Cheers

 

[Landy Andy]

Wow. Some interesting reading here. I care for my motorhome so there is no way anybody, including myself is going anywhere near it with TRF, or a scotchbrite pad. Both are far too aggressive in my opinion. But each to their own.